Senior Product Engineer (Python/PHP)

TL;DR

Senior Product Engineer (Python/PHP): Building and scaling backend services for a core school management platform with an accent on API design, database performance, and system reliability. Focus on driving technical roadmap initiatives, mentoring junior engineers, and ensuring high-quality code standards across large-scale enterprise systems.

Location: Must be based in the United Kingdom

Salary: £75,000 - £85,000

Company

hirify.global is an ed-tech company providing MIS and school management tools to over 12,000 schools and trusts to improve staff wellbeing and operational efficiency.

What you will do

• Build, maintain, and scale backend services to enhance core product capabilities.
• Own the delivery of high-impact features within the hirify.global product suite.
• Drive the implementation of advanced testing strategies to ensure high reliability.
• Resolve critical system bugs and perform thorough, constructive code reviews.
• Collaborate with engineering leadership to prioritize technical debt and roadmap designs.
• Mentor and coach mid-level and junior engineers to foster technical excellence.

Requirements

• Must be based in the United Kingdom (no visa sponsorship provided).
• Proven experience building backend services in Python and/or PHP.
• Strong knowledge of SQL and NoSQL database technologies and performance optimization.
• Experience designing APIs within a service-oriented environment.
• Deep understanding of software engineering principles like SOLID, DRY, and TDD.
• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills.

Nice to have

• Professional experience with both PHP and Python.
• Domain experience in the UK Ed-Tech space.
• Familiarity with Laminas, Symfony, or FastAPI.
• Experience with service decomposition.

Culture & Benefits

• 32 days of holiday (25 days annual leave plus 7 company-wide days).
• Comprehensive wellness benefits including 24/7 virtual GP and mental health support.
• Private dental insurance and salary sacrifice pension scheme.
• Enhanced maternity, adoption, and paternity leave packages.
• Dedicated professional development budget for CPD and upskilling.
• Flexible working environment with a focus on wellbeing and social initiatives.

Hiring process

• Phone screen.
• 1st stage interview.
• 2nd stage interview.